Stem cell–driven lymphatic remodeling coordinates tissue regeneration

Abstract

Stem cells reshape a lymphatic niche Adult stem cells can both self-renew and regenerate new tissue upon demand. They reside in microenvironments (niches) that balance these decisions to avoid tissue overgrowth, cancer, and aging. Using murine skin as a model, Gur-Cohen et al. uncovered a lymphatic network of capillaries associated with the stem cell niche of hair follicles (see the Perspective by Harvey). Stem cells reshaped their lymphatic environment by switching their secretome to coordinate lymphatic-niche association. During tissue regeneration, a dynamic change in epithelial-lymphatic communication remodeled this association, synchronizing stem cell and niche behavior. Science , this issue p. 1218 ; see also p. 1193